Review: Saving Shark Pup by Sharon Dalgleish

We are currently loving reading true stories at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf. They showcase how amazing and fascinating the world around us can be.

Saving Shark Pup is the incredible true story of a great white shark pup washed up on Manly Beach and how the local community rushed to its rescue.

illustrated by Amandine Thomas

Publisher: Allen & Unwin 

Publication date: 3rd February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book / Non Fiction

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Shark Pup is swirled and tossed in the surf and ends up beached on the shore. Many people come to help. He is battered and disoriented and is taken to an ocean pool. Shark Pup's fin begins to droop. Will Shark Pup survive his night away from the deep ocean he knows? (spoiler: he does)

Children will be entranced as the suspense rises and everyone jumps into action to save Shark Pup. As the pages turn and Shark Pup's life hangs in the balance we see the wonderful people who dedicate their life to studying and saving our precious sea life.

Interesting facts are dispersed throughout the story making Saving Shark Pup a story that grows with your child and can be read over and over.

Saving Shark Pup is the perfect book for children who love sharks and whales and are fascinated by facts.

Amandine Thomas' illustrations bring the story to life in full double page spreads with cool blues and greens of the ocean and the yellows and oranges of the beach and sand.

Saving Shark Pup is an emotional and uplifting story about people working together that will be a treasured read for years to come.

My rating 5/ 5 🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#savingsharkpup #sharondalgleish #amandinethomas #childrenspicturebook #nonfictionforchildren #truestories #environmentalbooksforkids #kidsbookswelove #booksonnature

Review: The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is a fun, relatable story that will be loved by any young tween just trying to fit in.

Gracie was one of the cool girls in year 6 but she's starting at a different high school to all her friends. A school where no one will know her. But, she has a plan; make friends with the cool girls, join the school band and soon she will be just as popular as her older sister Imogen.

Gracie is such a wonderful character. She is basically a kind and thoughtful girl and a bit geeky. I could understand why she wanted to be in the cool group, doesn't everyone!

Follow along, through Gracie's diary entries as she fumbles her way through, old friendships, new friendships, mean girls and bullying to finally realising that just being yourself and broadening your horizons is all you need to make the best sorts of friends.

Gracie's mother had died in a car accident and even though she did miss her and it was integrated into the story it wasn't solely focused on this sad event. 

I liked the addition of the school library as a safe haven and a place where she could connect with her mother.

Lots of fascinating information on horoscopes may have some young readers searching for more information on astrology and star signs.

I loved that Gracie and her grandparents were so close and when things were at a low she had somewhere to go for unconditional love and praise. I laughed at all Gracie's funny sayings that she got straight from her grandparents.

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is a humorous and heartfelt story about growing up and not knowing where you fit in anymore. It's about finding your place in a new environment, building resilience and trying to remember that other people may have bad things happening in their life that you don't know about. It holds a subtle message about always being kind.

I laughed all the way through and even got a little teary at the end. Gracie is funny, a little awkward and always thoughtful. She's a character who will stay in the hearts of many readers.

My rating 5/ 5 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Recommended age: 9 - 12 years

Publisher: Affirm Press

Publication date: 31st march 2026

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 338

RRP: $16.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#theembarrassingconfessionsofgraciesparks #fionaharris #middlegradefiction #humour #aussieauthor #ausbookbloggers #kidsbookswelove

Review: Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure by Liv Lorkin

 Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is the first book in a new series by author Liv Lorkin.

Join Rocky, Daisy and Lucky the flowerpot gnomes on a top secret gnomie adventure.

The gnomes are enjoying a beachside holiday when they receive an urgent message to return to headquarters. A gnome has gone missing on a top secret mission. First they must find the missing gnome, inspect the tree mail network and also gather all the lost and missing postcards.

Follow along as Rocky, Daisy and Lucky, travelling in their flowerpot car, collect the lost postcards and repair the tree mail trees along the way.

Tree Mail Adventure is a whimsical nature filled adventure that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of younger readers.

Strength, brains and bravery are championed as the gnomes travel far and wide and work together to solve the problem of the tree mail. 

Light-hearted fun and a little bit of magic, Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is a fun graphic novel for our littlest readers. A wonderful introduction to graphic novels with the story told mostly through visual story-telling.

Liv Lorkin's black and white cartoon style illustrations are bold and filled with emotion and spirit.

I am sure readers will be eager for the next Gnomie adventure.

My rating 4 / 5 🪴🪴🪴🪴

Recommended age: 7 - 9 Years

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th March 2026

Series: Gnoming About #1

Genre: Junior Fiction / Graphic Novel

Pages: 85

RRP: $16.95AU (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

#gnomingabout #treemailadventure #livlorkin #graphicnovel #juniorfiction #australianauthor #childrensbooks

Review: My Busy Brain by Natalie Shaw

My Busy Brain is a wonderful picture book that not only explains an ADHD busy brain but celebrates it.

Meet Max, he has a busy brain which likes to think of lots of things at once. It can be lots of fun but it can also be confusing.

Written & illustrated by Natalie Shaw

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 26th February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: $19.99AU (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the author

I loved the analogy Natalie has used in the book, of tiny cars racing around and sending messages around the brain and body.

Max's brain is so busy he forgets what he is meant to be doing. Sometimes he tries to slow down those busy cars and it can be really hard.

My Busy Brain explains that frustration is normal and if your busy brain is affecting how you function and feel there are lots of ways to help you through each day. Things like working together with family and teachers, making a routine chart or taking a prescribed  medication.

Max explains how his medication affects his brain and helps him to be calm and learn at school.

My Busy Brain is the perfect story for children diagnosed with ADHD and their carers.

I love Natalie Shaw's super simple, adorable and childlike illustrations using stick figures, which absolutely, perfectly suit this little book as it is narrated by Max and this is exactly how I imagine Max would draw the pictures.

My Busy Brain gives children a gentle way to learn about ADHD and many a child will see themselves in Max and discover that their busy brain is something to be celebrated

If you have a child with ADHD My Busy Brain explains everything on a child's level that is easy for them to take in and understand. Reading the book together opens up an avenue for discussion.

My rating 5 / 5 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠

Recommended age: 4 - 9 years

#mybusybrain #natalieshaw #kidsbooksaboutadhd #australianauthor #childrenspicturebook #ausbookbloggers 

Review: Valerie by Lucinda Gifford

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog

This story of Valerie was inspired by the amazing true story of a little dachshund lost for 529 days in the wilderness of Kangaroo Island, before she was eventually captured and reunited with her family.

This feat of courage and resilience inspired Lucinda Gifford to reimagine Valerie's time on the island. 

In this enchanting and heartwarming picture book Valerie is not lost but having a grand adventure, living the beach life, eating delicious, mostly stolen, food and enjoying the freedom of the outdoors. Until, feeling a bit homesick, she takes a long and arduous journey back to her family.

Valerie is an engaging picture book filled with fun and adventure. The cheeky little Valerie knows exactly what she is doing, enjoying the freedom to run around the beach and explore the terrain.

The fun and jaunty text perfectly adds to the theme of merrymaking and excitement.

Eagerly, Valerie looked all around.

Joyfully, Valerie felt her heart pound.

The wind blew her ears back.

The wild ocean ROARDED.

Children will love following this mischievous little pup as she steals food and runs wild and free, wondering all the way through the story if Valerie will be reunited with her family.

Valerie is a heartwarming story of adventure and also realising that there is no better place than your own cosy bed after a day exploring.

Spend a day with Valerie as she unintentionally takes a boat ride, gets swept overboard, is rescued by a pod of dolphins and spends a glorious day at the beach, running and playing and having the time of her life.

Lucinda Gifford's artwork is a story in itself. Each scene clearly pictures the story as it moves along. These picture scenes make the book ideal for younger pre-readers to read alone and make up their own words to go with the illustrations.

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog will be a treasured addition to any home library and will be enjoyed by dog lovers everywhere.

This is an independent and unofficial story of Valerie.

My rating 5 / 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Recommended age: 3-6 years

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 10th February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $19.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Celebration Festival by Alysia Kelly

 Right from the fun cover illustrations I knew we would love Celebration Festival by Alysia Kelly. There are balloons, lanterns, fireworks, dancing and stomping in a barrel of tomatoes. What could be more fun than a whole festival of celebrations!

illustrated by Ruth-Mary Smith

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 28th January 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Everyone in Evie's local community is coming together to share their special celebration in a spectacular Celebration Festival and Evie gets to crown the winner. How will she decide which celebration is the best?

This fabulous picture book goes through month by month featuring wonderful celebrations from around the world. Information and facts on the different celebrations are included at a level to be understood by the targeted audience of 4 - 8 years. Alysia Kelly doesn't only include big festivals but also fun, and maybe unknown, events like Spaghetti Day, Wildlife Day and World Laughter Day.

Celebration Festival is a delightful picture book packed with celebratory facts that will have you celebrating the whole year through.

Follow Evie and her cheeky little dog Biscuit as they join in with all the different celebrations from January through to December. There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for that it couldn't all fit into this book.

I loved the cartoon style illustrations by Ruth-Mary Smith. Evie is just gorgeous with her curly ginger hair and her cute, happy face. And you can't not fall in love with Biscuit the cheeky dog.

Celebration Festival is a book that will constantly be in use as each month's special days are celebrated with the whole family.

I'm excited for World Laughter Day Sunday 3rd May. Laughter is the best medicine. 🤣

This wonderful book isn't only a fun read that will keep the children engaged, it's also the perfect opener to talk about the different ways people celebrate around the world. You can start your own celebrations each month and also think of other celebration days not mentioned, and how people celebrate them.

Celebration Festival has so much scope for further activities, crafts, cooking and discussion in the classroom and at home.

Celebration Festival is a fun and valuable addition to any library.

My rating 5 / 5 💃💃💃💃💃

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#celebrationfestival #alysiakelly #ruthmarysmithillustrator #aussieauthor #kidsbookswelove #booksontouraus #childrenspicturebook

Mailbox Monday - 16th March 2026

MAILBOX MONDAY

On Mondays I will be posting the new books I have received for review, won and purchased over the previous week / month.

 

Books for review:

Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall

Published by Allen & Unwin

on 3rd March 2026

About the book:

An epic Tail of Adventure! Can one gallant mouse find the Gems of Harmony and save her homeland from destruction?

Titch knows that she must find the Gems of Harmony if she is to have any hope of fulfilling the prophecy of Bravepaw.

If only she knew where to begin her quest!

The magnificent Library of Lexhelm seems to hold the answers, or at least its books can help Titch and her friends ask the right questions as they journey into danger ...

But prophecies can be twisted, enemies can be slippery, and sometimes the person it is hardest to trust is yourself.

With all of Alluria on the line, can Titch make the right decision? 

Treeshape by Trace Balla

Published by Allen & Unwin

on 3rd March 2026

About the book:

This beautiful book tells the story of young Trace's awakening to the preciousness of the environment, including her participation in the protests against uranium mining at Jabiluka in the 1980s. Channelling her gift for visual storytelling, Trace reveals emotional truths, shares her commitment to environmental activism, highlights trees that have been meaningful in her life, and explores her deep appreciation of place and connection with First Nations peoples.

With its delicate artwork, heartfelt storytelling and timely themes of compassion and environmental care, this graphic novel will resonate with readers of all ages.

Handbooks for Little Humans- Inclusion by Zanni Louise

Published by Affirm Press on 24th February 2026.

About the book:

Whew, being a human can be tricky sometimes, don't you think?
There are so many things to learn, brushing your teeth, your left and right and how to sign your name.
Here’s another thing to add to your being inclusive.
What does that mean? Good question! Being inclusive means we make the world feel friendly and safe for everyone.
Shall we take a look?
 

#bravepawandthefangstoneofflintfall #treeshape #inclusion #aussieauthor #reviewbooks #newrelease #picturebooks #ausbookbloggers #bookmail #2026releases